11/08/2012

McAuliffe doesn't wait for Warner, launches bid for Governor

The calm between elections in Virginia is over. Less than 48 hours after the polls closed on the 2012 race the Commonwealth's race for governor is off and running.

On Wednesday, Senator Mark Warnerconfirmed that he is considering a run and will make a final decision by Thanksgiving.

Warner's consideration is not stopping the man who has never really stopped running for governor since he fell short in 2009's democratic primary: Terry McAuliffe.

The millionaire, and former DNC Chairman sent out an e-mail to supporters making it clear that he is forging ahead regardless of what Warner has planned to do. In a six paragraph e-mail to supporters, he put his intentions in bold one sentence that was meant to leave no doubt.

"I want to be
straightforward with you," he wrote. "I plan on running for Governor of Virginia in 2013."

Earlier today, Julian Walker of the Virginian Pilot reported that McAuliffe has begun calling democratic leaders to inform him of his plans. McAuliffe indicated that his effort was done so with Warner's blessing. It appears that doesn't mean Warner won't run, just that he is not going to get in McAuliffe's way.

Regardless, McAuliffe isn't wasting any time. Most democrats believe that Warner's will eventually decide to stay in the Senate. But at least for the next few weeks, McAuliffe is putting himself out there in a way that will be difficult to retract if Warner decides he wants another crack at running the show in Richmond.

The full text McAuliffe's email can be found after the jump:

------------------------------------------

Dear xxxx,

I am as excited as you that President Obama was re-elected with the help of
Virginia and Tim Kaine will be our next Senator. We voted to keep moving our
country forward with a President and Virginia Senators who fight for the middle
class.

Overall, the message from America to Washington was clear: Forget party
labels and start immediately working together for job growth and fiscal
responsibility. On Election Night, I spent hours helping to make sure voters in
Henrico County knew that if they were in line by the time polls closed, they
had a right to vote even if it meant waiting for quite a while. As the
President said on Tuesday, if citizens are waiting in lines for hours to vote,
we simply have to fix that. It's something both parties can easily agree on.

After Tuesday, one thing is certain: Everyone needs a break from politics.
This was an especially long and hard-fought election and now is the time for
Washington to come together and solve some of the country’s most urgent issues
around taxes, spending and our deficit.

I realize that after any election some people’s immediate question is about
the next campaign. I want to be straightforward with you: I plan on running
for Governor of Virginia in 2013.

Over the past four years, I’ve traveled to every corner of Virginia for over
2,400 meetings and events. It is absolutely clear to me that Virginians want
their next Governor to focus on job creation and common sense fiscal
responsibility instead of divisive partisan issues. If we want Virginia to be
the best place for business, we need leaders who prioritize economic growth and
move beyond the political issues that are designed to divide us.

2013 will be a new year, a new campaign, and a critical time to decide the
future of the Commonwealth. Until then, I will be spending the holidays with my
family, continuing my work in business, and listening to your ideas for
Virginia’s future.

Enjoy the weekend with your family and the well-deserved break from
politics.